Chicago, Illinois – Winter Storm Ezra battered large parts of the Midwest with damaging winds, heavy snow, ice, and even a confirmed tornado before shifting its focus toward the Northeast. The storm comes just days after many of the same regions were hit by Winter Storm Devin, compounding travel disruptions and power outages across multiple states, according to reporting from NBC News.
Midwest Hit by Snow, Ice, and Severe Weather
Ezra brought a wide range of dangerous weather impacts as it swept across the central United States. Alongside heavy snow and ice, the storm produced severe weather on Sunday, including an EF1 tornado near Groveland, Illinois, just south of Peoria. The tornado snapped trees and downed power lines along its path, adding to storm damage already caused by high winds.
Blinding snow combined with strong wind gusts created near whiteout conditions in several areas, making travel extremely hazardous or nearly impossible in some locations.
Strong Winds Cause Widespread Damage
Powerful winds were a major factor across the Midwest and Great Lakes region. In Boston, Indiana, east of Indianapolis, a wind gust of 67 mph was reported. Similar conditions were observed across surrounding states, where numerous trees and power lines were knocked down, leading to scattered power outages.
Forecasters warn that even where snowfall has ended, lingering winds continue to blow snow across roadways, sharply reducing visibility.
Heavy Snowfall Across the Great Lakes
Snow totals from Ezra varied widely but were significant across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes:
- Twin Cities: 4 to 7 inches reported
- Northern Wisconsin: Higher totals, with nearly a foot near Mercer
- Marquette, Michigan: Close to 2 feet of snow reported
Marquette had been running more than a foot below its average December snowfall, but Sunday’s near-record daily snowfall—combined with additional snow on Monday—may bring the city close to seasonal norms by month’s end.
The storm strengthened as it moved through the Great Lakes and continues to track eastward across New England.
What to Expect Next
Wind remains the biggest concern through Tuesday. Forecasts call for wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph, capable of causing additional power outages and creating whiteout conditions, even in areas where snow has already stopped falling.
In the Northeast, ice accumulation is expected to add another layer of danger, increasing the risk of slick roads and likely causing airport delays during a busy holiday travel period.
Lake-effect snow will persist across the Great Lakes region through Tuesday, with some warnings extending later into the week. In the heaviest snow bands, feet of additional snowfall are possible in localized areas, making travel difficult to impossible at times.
Arctic Cold Follows the Storm
Ezra is also opening the door for a sharp blast of Arctic air to pour southward across the Plains, Midwest, South, and East. In many locations, temperatures are expected to drop 30 to 40 degrees in a matter of days.
- Minneapolis: Highs fell from 35°F Sunday to below 20°F Monday
- Des Moines: Dropped from 43°F to below 20°F
- Chicago: Fell from the 50s on Sunday into the 20s
- St. Louis: Dropped from a high near 71°F Sunday to the 20s Monday
The South Feels the Chill Too
Southern states are also experiencing a noticeable cooldown, though it will be shorter-lived compared to the North.
- Dallas: Highs fell from 79°F Sunday to the 50s Monday
- Atlanta: Drops into the 40s expected by Tuesday
Temperatures across the South are forecast to rebound by the end of the week, but colder-than-normal conditions are expected to persist across much of the northern United States.
Winter Storm Ezra continues to pose threats from snow, ice, wind, and cold as it moves east, with forecasters urging residents to monitor local warnings and avoid unnecessary travel where conditions remain dangerous.
